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Several former Wildcats will play for the U.S. in the Olympic Gold Medal game versus Japan.

By University Communications
August 20, 2008

Several former Wildcat softball players will represent the United States in the Gold Medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing.

It may have taken extra innings in the team’s matchup with Japan Wednesday, but the U.S. team earned a 4-1 victory nine innings.

Former Wildcat Caitlin Lowe, who was 2-for-3 with a run scored in the contest, drove in the game’s first run in the top of the ninth inning when she hit a single up the middle and University of Arizona alumna Lovieanne Jung was 0-for-4 in the game. The teams will meet again in the final, which will be held Thursday.

On the men’s side, UA alumnus Jason Donald was 0-for-3 with a run scored in the contest between the U.S. baseball team, which also played Japan yesterday. The U.S. team won its fourth consecutive game over Japan in 11 innings with the final score set at 4-2.

The victory also clinched a spot for the U.S. team in the semifinals. The squad will take on Cuba Friday.

In other news, Bernard Lagat, who trains in Tucson with UA head cross country coach James Li, easily qualified for the finals of the men’s 5,000-meter race by winning heat three in a time of 13:39.70. The finals will be held on Saturday with Lagat still holding the title as the reigning world champion at this distance.

The Lithuanian men’s basketball team advanced to the semifinals by defeating China 94-68. Former UA center Robertas Javtokas posted six points and five rebounds to go with an assist and a steal in 19 minutes of action.

Lithuania will next face Spain on Friday.

UA alumnus Dominic Johnson, who is the University’s pole vault record holder, finished in a tie for 17th place in heat two of the men’s pole vault preliminaries with an effort of 5.30 meters, which amounts to 17 feet, 4.5 inches.

Competing for St. Lucia, Johnson did not qualify for the finals.

Also, UA alumna Claire Febvay, who is competing for France, finished in 25th place during the preliminaries of the women’s 10-meter platform diving competition. Diving in her third Olympics, Febvay tallied 255.30 points, but did not advance to the semifinals.

Olympic Schedule for Thursday, Aug. 21

Women’s Volleyball

Semifinals: U.S. vs. Cuba

Softball

Gold Medal Game: U.S. vs. Japan